The Nigeria Police, Delta State Command was able to rescue a kidnap victim yesterday while also engaging an armed gang in a gun duel which led to the death of one.

In the process, a number of arms and ammunition were recovered.

According to a press statement signed by Delta Police spokesperson, DSP Bright Edafe who noted that Police operatives attached to State Anti-Cult Unit (SACU) while on a Special duty alongside Sapele Divisional patrol team, flagged down a Toyota Camry with reg. No. AFM 47 AP with three occupants.

They refused to stop for a search, instead, they drove against traffic in a bid to escape along Okirigwe road, Sapele but were given a tireless chase by the Policemen until they got to a dead end.’

‘They jump down from the vehicle and escaped into a crowded place.
The Policemen professionally did not open fire as the reason while they were running has not been established and did not want to hurt innocent persons in the process.

When the team got to the abandoned vehicle, they saw a victim (name withheld) tied inside the car who was kidnapped by the suspects. He was rescued unhurt and has since reunited with his family.

Exhibits recovered includes, one locally made short gun, one cutlass and their operational vehicle which is suspected to have been stolen.

Effort to arrest the fleeing suspects is ongoing.’

On another crime busting mission, the Delta Police Command made a difference. ‘On 05/08/2022, at about 1715hrs, Anti crime patrol attached to ‘A’ Division Warri were on Stop and search duty at Iyara road when they intercepted a tricycle with three male occupants.

The suspects surprisingly reversed the tricycle and sped off, the team upon suspicion went after them till they got to chevron Clinic road in Warri.’
‘The hoodlums opened fire on the Policemen and the team equally responded.

In the process, one of the Suspects was maimed while others escaped.

The injured suspect was taken to the hospital where he gave up the ghost while receiving treatment.

One locally made cut-to-size gun with six live cartridges and two expanded cartridges were recovered. Serious manhunt for the other members of the gang is ongoing.’

In the light of this, the Commissioner of Police while appreciating the efforts of Deltans in the fight against crime and criminality, urges them to be patient especially when they encounter Policemen on the road performing stop and search duty.

He noted that Stop and search is one of the proactive ways in combating crime and nipping it at the bud.

The CP assured all residents in the State that the Command remains committed in carrying out its core mandate which is the protection of live and property.